Go vows to re-file measure reinstating death penalty for illegal drugs, plunder

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said that he was willing to re-file a measure reinstating the death penalty for illegal drugs and plunder in the next Congress.

Go introduced Senate Bill No. 207, which seeks to reinstate the death penalty, in July 2019.

However, the bill failed to pass in the 18th Congress.

"We can file it again if we want. Itong SB 207, reinstating the death penalty for certain heinous crimes involving dangerous drugs and plunder,” said Go in an ambush interview.

He added that reinstating capital punishment was in line with outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.

Furthermore, he claimed that the law would also "discourage criminal activities."

"Pag hindi takot yung tao sa mga awtoridad makokorap na naman, balik ang droga, balik ang kriminalidad. Sayang po yung inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte," the senator added.

(If the people are not afraid of the authorities, they will be corrupt and will go back to illegal drugs and criminality. The efforts of the Duterte administration against illegal drugs will go to waste.)

Under the proposed measure, plunder or the illegal acquisition of wealth by public officials amounting to at least P50 million would be punishable by death.

The bill also included the importation, distribution, and possession of dangerous drugs, cultivation of illicit narcotic plants, and unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs in the list of drug-related crimes.

The senator also insisted that the campaign against illegal drugs had "improved peace and order in the country" and "flourished businesses in the communities."

“Napatunayan naman po in the last six years, tingnan ninyo mas nakakalakad po ang inyong mga anak pauwi sa inyong bahay na hindi nababastos at hindi nasasaktan. Dahil po iyan sa ginawa ng Administrasyong Duterte,” Go said.

(It was proven in the last six years that your children can walk outside of the house without being harassed due to the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.)

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier reported that authorities conducted at least 1,162 anti-illegal drug operations from March 20 to 26.

A total of 72 individuals also surrendered, while at least 1,627 people were arrested.

Año said no fatalities were recorded during the police operations.

Total confiscated drugs amounted to P453,203,447.

In September 2021, The International Criminal Court authorized the start of an investigation into the killings in the Philippines' war on drugs.

However, the ICC temporarily suspended its investigation at the request of the Philippine government.

Duterte meanwhile said he did not benefit from his war on drugs and that it was for the future of the Filipino youth. — DVM, GMA News